In the new issue of Regulation, economist Pierre Lemieux argues that the recent oil price decline is at least partly the result of increased supply from the extraction of shale oil. The increased supply allows the economy to produce more goods, which benefits some people, if not all of them. Thus, contrary to some commentary in the press, cheaper oil prices cannot harm the economy as a whole.

Two long wars, chronic deficits, the financial crisis, the costly drug war, the growth of executive power under Presidents Bush and Obama, and the revelations about NSA abuses, have given rise to a growing libertarian movement in our country – with a greater focus on individual liberty and less government power. David Boaz’s newly released The Libertarian Mind is a comprehensive guide to the history, philosophy, and growth of the libertarian movement, with incisive analyses of today’s most pressing issues and policies.

How did the Democrats, who seemed unstoppable in 2009, lose their momentum so quickly, and what does it mean for the future of our two-party system? Sean Trende’s new book explores the underlying weaknesses of the Democratic promise of recent years, and shows how unlikely a new era of big government always was. Trende persuasively argues that both Republicans and Democrats are failing to connect with the real values of the American people, and that long-held theories of cyclical political “realignments” are baseless. Please join us to hear surprising insights about the current presidential race and the future of American politics.